Jeremiah Wolliston, Bank Fraud, Florida 2024

Bank Fraud Exposed: South Florida Men Face Prison Time for Stolen Check Scheme

MIAMI – In a shocking case of brazen financial deception, two men from West Palm Beach, Florida, have been sentenced to federal prison for their role in a bank fraud scheme that left victims reeling and losses totaling more than $4.5 million.

Jeremiah Wolliston, 23, and Keith Patrick, 38, were handed prison sentences of 168 months and 72 months, respectively, after pleading guilty to their involvement in a scheme to buy stolen business checks from the mail and commit bank fraud.

According to court documents, the duo and their co-conspirators engaged in a sophisticated racket that spanned from December 2022 to May 2024. They bought stolen business checks from the mail, altered them, and deposited them into fraudulently opened bank accounts.

The scheme saw Wolliston and Patrick set up fictitious corporations in Florida and Georgia, using the names of their corporate victims and opening fake bank accounts. They then deposited the stolen checks before making ATM and counter withdrawals, wire transfers, and drafting checks to transfer the money to other members of the conspiracy.

U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and acting Inspector in Charge Bladismir Rojo of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service made the announcement, highlighting the joint efforts of USPIS, Homeland Security Investigations, USPS Office of the Inspector General, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, West Palm Beach Police Department, and the Palm Beach Sherriff’s Office in investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosenfeld prosecuted the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitch Hyman handling asset forfeiture. Those seeking more information can visit the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

The case has been assigned the number 24-CR-20440 and is available on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Related Federal Cases